Many thanks to Dr Terry Biddington, University of Winchester, for contributing this really encouraging blog about the work they are doing in supporting students to explore their spiritual lives, whatever their beliefs. A brilliant example of contemplative community. Some years ago a conversation began here about setting up an interfaith community of students and staff who would … Continue reading University of Winchester Student Contemplative Community

At this point each year since 2014 I have puzzled about what to write in a blog before heading off for the Christmas break. This year I thought I'd draw attention to an article that has influenced my thinking on the relationship between critical and contemplative pedagogies. I think that one of the important areas … Continue reading Reflections on a critical contemplative pedagogy at Christmas

Many thanks to Heather Dyer for this insightful blog. If you wish to comment below, or ask questions, please do so and I will ensure Heather receives them. Enjoy! I’m not interested in contemplative pedagogy because I want students to become more compassionate or self-aware. I just want to help them finish their theses - … Continue reading Not-knowing and creative insight

The inspiration for this blog come from reading a paper by Boggs and Mitchell (2018) who describe how the consensus of the current ‘crisis’ in higher education is papering over important debates which challenge the image of the university as ‘a good in itself, as an institution defined ultimately by the progressive nature at its … Continue reading Crisis, critique and contemplation

As many of you know, in August we held our first four day Contemplative Pedagogy Symposium at Emerson College. I had been thinking about the design of this event for several years but it took time for things to fall into place in order to make it a reality - not least having Iddo, Siobhan … Continue reading Reflecting on the Contemplative Pedagogy Symposium

Hello this is just a warning that in a fit of inspiration I have tried to do some fancy stuff that will help us to connect as a community. However, it's not going particularly smoothly so please don't sign up or try to do anything for the time being until I have it straight. Thanks … Continue reading Work in progress…

Exploring contemplative practices within Higher Education during times of social, economic, and environmental turmoil By Steven Stanley This event on Contemplative Pedagogy  in August 2018 is an excellent opportunity for educators, students and professional services staff in further and higher education to come together to discuss meanings and applications of ‘contemplative’ practices – such as meditation … Continue reading Why I am attending the Contemplative Pedagogy Symposium…

Recently I have had cause to reflect on what it means to feel 'inspired'. That lovely feeling of flow when energy for a project seems to bubble up without much effort, a natural sense of confidence just arises and the next steps seem clear. In the organising of our symposium in August, I have, over recent weeks, … Continue reading Meeting ‘uninspiredness’ through community

Hello I am pleased to share my recent keynote presentation at the Mindfulness in Education Symposium at the University of Vienna in February which was kindly hosted by Dr Karlheinz Valtl. You may be interested in taking a look. It is my attempt to pull together and develop thoughts about the importance of contemplative pedagogy in higher education … Continue reading The quest for meaning and transformation in higher education

Many thanks to Dr Geoff Taggart for contributing this very helpful and practical blog on a contemplative activity that supports PhD students to reflect on and deepen their understanding of their research process. If you have any comments or questions for Geoff please comment below. I recently ran a session for new Phd/EdD students in all disciplines called ‘making … Continue reading Reflecting on Phd research with a contemplative technique